KHEWRA, March 26: An allergological asthma resort has been built for treatment of asthma patients at the famous Khewra salt mines. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the resort on Monday, Managing Director, Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC), Brig (retd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar said the asthma resort was set up at a cost of Rs10 million as a pilot project.

Brig Khokhar said that at present the resort has a capacity to accommodate 20 patients but later it would be expanded to accommodate 100 patients.

The official said after turning the salt mines into a tourist resort, thousands of local and foreign tourists visit here every year.

This situation has not only enhanced the importance of historical salt mines but also generated economic opportunities for the locals.

Chief Medical Officer, PMDC, Dr Ashraf Mirza informed the audience that the medical centre is the first of its kind in the country where the asthma patients would be treated by using natural atmosphere of the salt mines.

He said the asthma patient would be kept six to eight hours in the clinic built inside the mine.

The patient inhales natural salt particles which open narrow veins of respiratory system and after spending about 120 hours, the patient recovers from asthma disease, he added.

He said that so far one local and two foreigners have been treated by this natural method.

Dr Mirza said that two asthma clinics in Ukraine and Poland salt mines were already providing successful treatment to asthma patients.

In his welcome address, Manager, Salt, Chaudhry Zafarullah Khan said that Khewra tourist resort has already attracted thousands of tourists from inside and outside the country.

He said the asthma resort would provide medical treatment to asthma patients from across the country.

He said the sale and production of salt has increased manifold while it is now exporting salt to several countries.—APP